WORRALS IN THE WILDS
by Captain W. E. Johns
XVIII. VISIBILITY CLEAR (Pages 183 – 192)
“Some three hours later the entire party assembled in the shanty
at Magube Drift.
There were nine people there.
Worrals, Frecks, Bill, the inspector and his pilot, Joe, Dayne and his
pilot (whose name is not given), Uncle Dick and Andrew. Bill was still ill but able to sit up and
take an interest “and it was clear that he only needed food and rest to put him
properly on his feet again”. While
Andrew prepares food, the inspector goes through the papers he has taken from Shardwell’s body.
The inspector then conducts an enquiry to tie up the loose ends. Bill explains what happened to him. He had checked out Shardwell’s
story of owning Impala at Cape Town (where he posted a letter to Worrals) and
found it to be false. On returning to
Impala he has been overpowered by Shardwell, Gronk
and Wongorobo who had knocked him unconscious. He then had vague recollections of being held
by the witch-doctor and eating on occasions.
Worrals told her story. Dayne
explains how Shardwell had been employed by him as a
good mining engineer. Shardwell had
bought several properties to Dayne’s attention but had recently asked to work
on a commission basis rather than a regular salary. He had bought Magube
Drift to Dayne’s attention. When Dayne
had heard whispers of I.D.B (illicit diamond buying) he had driven up to see Shardwell at Keetmannshoop but Shardwell had assured him there was nothing to worry
about. Dayne had now chartered a plane
to come up because he wanted to speak to Ashton and Mackintosh in person and
see how negotiations were going. Dayne
says that as Shardwell was his agent, the least he can do is compensate people
for their loses and he agrees to pay Bill for his loses and buy Worrals and
Frecks a new plane. “I’ll settle the
account, with a bonus to cover your time and trouble” he tells them all. The inspector says that having gone through Shardwell’s papers he can say there is a reef at Magube Drift “that’s fairly rotten with gold”. Shardwell had been up when Dick and Andrew
had been away and taken samples and an assayer’s report confirmed it. When Shardwell had agreed a profit-sharing
basis with Dayne, even a small share would have put a fortune in his pocket,
hence his desperation to get his hands on the claim. Dayne suggests that he, Dick, Andrew and Bill
form a company, cutting profits four ways, and he will use his money to finance
it. Bill can organise and run the
transport. The inspector tells them all
there will have to be a government inquiry and an inquest into the deaths. At the subsequent enquiry, Worrals is exonerated
for the deaths of Shardwell and Gronk which are ascribed to “an error of
judgment on the part of the pilot”. Wongorobo is sentenced to a long term of penal
servitude. He avoids the death penalty
for murder as he says that Shardwell used his spear to kill Mahomet and he gets
the benefit of the doubt. “Ingoona was warmly complimented by the judge for his
loyalty, and returned to his tribe laden with presents for the Hereros who had taken part in the rescue”. These are provided by Mr. Dayne, whose long
record in South Africa was one of fair and honest dealing. In the hands of competent doctors, Bill’s
recovery is swift and complete. The Magube Drift Mining Corporation is formed with Dayne, Dick,
Andrew and Bill as directors. Worrals
decides to look at new planes in England and returns with British Overseas
Airways. Bill hints at Worrals staying,
but she declines, although she promises to visit with Frecks. “Okay, kid, maybe you’re right” he
agreed. “Of course
I’m right,” returned Worrals, taking his arm.
“We always are, aren’t we, Frecks?
And don’t call me kid”.